CHAPTER 7

Force Field

"TYYYYY!" I screamed. I lunged after him, but Kate grabbed me and held me tight.

"Let me go!" I yelled, struggling to break away from her grasp. I soon realized that Kate was too strong for me, so I just fell to the floor sobbing.

"It's okay…" whispered Kate.

"NO!" I cried, "It. Is. NOT."

She just stared, with a look of indifference on her face.

I gasped. "You don't care, do you?"
"That's not true-"
"You're probably happy," I accused, "Happy that the boy who I love is out of the picture. You can have me all to yourself. Well I hope you're happy now."

I knew what I was saying was wrong. Kate would never be like that. But I was upset. Ty- my Ty- had just leaped off a 12-story building. Because of me.

Suddenly, I heard a loud buzz and watched as Ty soared over my head and landed in the broken glass. How was it possible?
"Force field," choked Kate, then she ran inside, leaving me alone.

But I wasn't alone. I had Ty.

I rushed over to my best friend. His always-neat black hair was standing on end, as if he had been shocked. His soft arms were smeared with blood, and I could see little pieces of glass embedded in his bruised and slightly burned skin. I wanted to call the Emergency Medical Team stationed next to the hotel, but I didn't want to be questioned all night about what had happened. I wasn't even totally sure what happened myself.

I used my experience from taking care of my often-injured friends to help Ky. Piece by piece, I carefully extracted the shards from Ty's arms, legs, and face. Then, I retrieved a soft clean towel from the kitchen and wiped all the blood off, staining the white towel red. I tried to pick Ty up, but he was too heavy. I needed help, but it would be idiotic to go tell Wilson.

I knew who I had to get. The only one who was strong enough… the only one who loved him more than I did.

ALEX

I jumped when I heard something behind me. I turned and saw the District 11 girl standing in the living room, her shirt stained with blood.

"What the f-"
"It's Ty," she said, and that was all I needed to shoot up from the couch and run to the 11th floor- to Ty.

I leaped out of the elevator door and sprinted through the hall after Alainah. I gasped for air, my heart pounding like a bass drum.

Then I saw him.

LAI

I saw the shock on Alex's face. Then, before I could react, I felt his hands tighten around my neck.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?" he screamed, shaking me around furiously "You tried to kill him, didn't you? He was in the way of your relationship with that...that woman…. so you tried to get rid of him."

My cry of protest was trapped in my throat by Alex's choking grasp.

Then I heard a wild cry from across the room.

I tried to turn and see who it was, but Alex's strong grip locked me in place.

Suddenly, I felt his hands release my neck, and I heard a loud thump.

I rubbed my neck and gasped for air. Then I looked down and saw Kate pinning Alex to the floor.

"Kate!" I shouted.

"Get to your room!" she screamed.

"But-"

"NOW!"

I had never seen Kate so upset, not even when she caught me making out with Ty.

I whirled around and ran to my room, eyes tearing up. I always ruin everything.

KATE

I felt Alex struggling underneath me, but I didn't let him go until he groaned, "I'm done."

I saw the apology in his eyes, and I got up, wiping my hands on my khakis. I turned towards Lai's room.

ALEX

As soon as the District 11 victor walked away, I shook myself off and went over to Ty.

He looked bad. His arms were covered in deep scratches, and there were a few cuts on his face.

His perfect face...

KATE

I stormed into Lai's room.

She looked up, her lips forming the words, "I'm sorry-"

But I interrupted her.

"What were you thinking?" I raged. "Why would you bring another tribute here? He could have killed you both!"

Lai looked down at her bare feet.

"I'm sorry. He was the only one who would save Ty. He was the only one who loved him enough to bring him back from near-death. And I'm sorry about what I said-" she started, but I stopped her flowing words with a kiss. It wasn't as sweet as the kiss on the balcony (I mean, what can be more romantic than a sunset?), but it was definitely more passionate.

She pulled me into her arms, and we soon lost track of time...

TY

I woke from a cloud of pain to see Alex hovering over me, biting his lip, eyebrows scrunched in concentration. "I must be in a dream," I thought.

Well, if it's a dream, no one will know what happens, right?

ALEX

I saw Ty's eyelashes flutter open, and he gazed up at me with a dreamy look on his face.

I guessed since he was in such a state, anything I said would soon be forgotten.

"Ty, I love you-"

The words had just escaped my lips before they were met by Ty's.

I gasped, then felt all my fear melt away. I was strong. I could survive in the woods for days, living off only food I hunted for. I could wrestle pretty much anyone and win. I could handle this.

Ty pulled me down onto the floor with him, and I ignored the sharp pricks of glass in my side. The only thing that I felt were Ty's lips pressed against my own.

Under the passion of the kiss, I felt realization flooding into my head. What was I doing? Only one of us could win the Games, and the other would die.

I didn't plan on losing.

TY

I reached my hand up to stroke Alex's soft, blond hair, but I felt him pull away.

I opened my eyes to see Alex getting up and running away. Running away from me.